Materials Science and Engineering
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
FALL 2017 MATERIALS SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING BREAKING THE PROTEIN-DNA BOND Study finds that free-floating proteins break up protein-DNA bonds at the single-binding site he verdict is in: too many processes in living cells by binding and unbinding to DNA. single, flirty proteins In the experiment, Marko and his team can break up a strong developed a concentration of TF proteins relationship. bound to DNA mixed with unbound TF proteins, which competed with the bound Published in the Proceedings of the T proteins for their binding sites. They National Academy of Sciences, a new observed that unbound proteins caused Olvera de la Cruz interdisciplinary Northwestern University the bound proteins to dissociate from the study reports that the important protein- DNA. The unbound proteins then stole the DNA bond can be broken by unbound newly available single-binding sites. proteins floating around in the cell. This Monica Olvera de la Cruz, the Lawyer MONICA OLVERA DE discovery sheds light on how molecules Taylor Professor of Materials Science self-organize and how gene expression is LA CRUZ RECEIVED and Engineering, led the development dynamically controlled. THE 2017 POLYMER of a theoretical model and performed “The way proteins interact with DNA molecular dynamics simulations to show PHYSICS PRIZE FROM determines the biological activity of all the prevalence of the protein-DNA break THE AMERICAN living organisms,” said John F. Marko, up at the single-binding site due to the professor of molecular biosciences, PHYSICAL SOCIETY competitor proteins. This disproves physics, and astronomy. FOR “OUTSTANDING former beliefs that protein-DNA bonds To understand this vital relationship, were unaffected by unbound proteins and CONTRIBUTIONS TO Marko led a study examining the sites instead resulted from more “cooperative” THE THEORETICAL where a single protein binds to DNA. interactions among many molecules, large Strands of DNA have specific sites on UNDERSTANDING protein clusters, or long DNA segments. which other molecules can bind and OF POLYMERS AND “Our results suggest that protein-DNA become a part of the DNA’s genetic code. dissociation could have a profound effect THE EFFECTS OF One type of DNA-binding proteins, called on the dynamics of biological processes ELECTROSTATIC transcription factors (TF), are key players that depend on protein binding in vivo,” in the transcription of genetic information INTERACTIONS ON Olvera de la Cruz said. “This may be an from DNA to messenger RNA (mRNA) to THEIR STRUCTURE important factor to take into account when produce new proteins or other types of modeling gene expression in living cells.” AND PROPERTIES.” RNA. TF proteins control the biological FROM THE CHAIR September 18 to highlight the Society. Such exchanges reflect play in creating new technologies Dear Friends, research accomplishments of the global nature of our research and solving societal problems. The many of our undergraduates and educational activities and events that week will begin with s I approach my first who have spent the summer continue to foster an international the annual Hilliard Symposium and anniversary as chair, I am working on research, supported community. Celebration Banquet on Thursday A reflecting on the many by the Meister Summer research I know some of you will return May 17, followed by opportunities recent accomplishments of our grants and others. In fact, the to campus for Homecoming. The to connect with friends and faculty, students, and alumni, some campus has been buzzing this department conference room will classmates. We’ll be sending more of which you will find described summer with undergraduate be available for an informal “open information soon. We hope you in this newsletter. These accom- materials researchers from all house” where you can gather and will join us. plishments reflect leadership and over the country, hosted by our chat with faculty and students service, as well as research at the affiliated centers, the Materials on that Friday, October 6. We look very forefront of our field. They high- Research Center, the Center for forward to seeing you. light the vibrant atmosphere that Hierarchical Materials by Design Other fall events include the makes this department a wonderful (CHiMaD), and the Soft and Hybrid Jerome B. Cohen Lectures which place to be and one that I am proud Nanotechnology Experimental are scheduled for October 16 and to lead. Apart from a significant Resource (SHyNE). CHiMaD also 17. Professor Daan Frenkel from the list of faculty awards, there are hosted 17 high school teachers University of Cambridge, winner two points I would like to highlight: from the US and Canada ASM of the 2016 Boltzmann Medal, will James Rondinelli was promoted to Materials Genome Camp, organized present two lectures. associate professor with tenure and by CHiMaD, QuesTek Innovations, In addition to these events, I Erik Luijten Jiaxing Huang was promoted to full and NU-MSE. Several students have would like to announce that we are Department Chair professor. In addition, we welcomed been away from campus, including planning a special MSE REUNION a new staff member: Lauren a group who spent the summer at for the third weekend in May. It is Hamilton succeeded Meghan the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam noteworthy that the Northwestern UPCOMING EVENTS Gelecke as program assistant. studying materials related to Board of Trustees approved the OCTOBER 6 I am also looking forward to cultural heritage objects and name change from Department Homecoming what the next year will bring. As students who spent the summer of Metallurgy to “Graduate Department Open House September approaches, we are doing research at the Technical Department of Materials Science” Cook Hall, Room 2058 1-3 p.m. preparing to welcome an incoming University of Munich. In December, in December 1958. As we celebrate OCTOBER 16 & 17 class of 36 PhD and 21 MS students. faculty and students will participate this first Materials Science Jerome B. Cohen Lectures The Material Advantage Chapter in the International Conference department, we are also looking Daan Frenkel will hold a speaking contest on of the African Materials Research forward to the role that materials University of Cambridge TMS Renames Educator Award for Weertmans Julia and Johannes Weertman have educated generations of students he Minerals, Metals, and Materials Previously called the TMS Educator Julia and Johannes Weertman Society (TMS) has established the Award, the annual honor was instituted T TMS Julia and Johannes Weertman in 1985 to recognize outstanding Educator Award. contributions to education in metallurgical exemplary ways,” said James J. Robinson, The award honors Julia and Johannes engineering and/or materials science executive director of TMS. “This award Weertman, who are both Walter P. Murphy and engineering. The award is not limited seems most fitting as it will honor them Emeriti Professors in Materials Science to the classroom as it can include the as educators to the many students they and Engineering in Northwestern’s acknowledgement of innovative ways to have touched and mentored. Their legacy McCormick School of Engineering. educate the general public. will live on in many ways including in this Members of the National Academy of “TMS is honored to be able to bestow Society award.” Engineering, the Weertmans are pioneers this award in the names of Julia and in materials research and have educated Johannes, valued members who have generations of students. contributed to TMS and science in many 2 Northwestern University • McCormick School of Engineering LAURENCE MARKS Upcoming Events RECEIVES SURFACE André Taylor Yale University STRUCTURE PRIZE September 19 Donald Siegal University of Michigan Award honors Marks’ outstanding achievement September 26 Jonathan Rivnay in the field of surface and interface structure Northwestern October 3 orthwestern Homecoming Open House Engineering’s Laurence October 6, 1-3 p.m. Cook Hall, room 2058 Marks received the 2017 N Cohen Lectures: Daan Frenkel Surface Structure Prize from the October 17 International Conference on the Xin Sun Structure of Surfaces (ICSOS). Oakridge National Laboratory October 24 The international award each year recognizes a researcher for outstanding Andrea Liu achievement in the field of surface and University of Pennsylvania interface structure. October 31 Marks, a professor of materials science Zhenan Bao and engineering, accepted the award at the Stanford University ICSOS-12 meeting, held July 23-28 at the Marks November 7 Georgia Institute of Technology. Nancy Sottos “It is a great honor to receive this prize University of Illinois from my peers all over the world,” Marks November 14 said. “I really owe everything to my very “IT IS A GREAT talented graduate students — both HONOR TO RECEIVE Veronica Augustyn past and present — and to the patience THIS PRIZE FROM North Carolina State University of my wife.” MY PEERS ALL OVER November 21 A theoretical and experimental engineer, Marks is renowned for his contributions THE WORLD.” to the study of nanoparticles and his LAURENCE MARKS work in the fields of electron microscopy, diffraction, and crystallography. He discovered a type of nanoparticle, the the atomic structure of surfaces and Marks Decahedron, which has become bulk materials.” He has received several his most highly cited work. His current awards, including the 2015 Warren Award research interests include transmission from the American Crystallographic electron microscopy, density functional